Celebration of Spring in Sedona

Okay, maybe spring did arrive early this year (think February). That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t throw a party in April! The City of Sedona Parks and Recreation’s annual Celebration of Spring takes place April 4 from…

Sedona Umbrella -Ella -Ella

On April 24, 25 and 26, 200 brightly decorated umbrellas will festoon Hillside Sedona during the annual Umbrella Project event. Students from all over the United States and Costa Rica decorated the umbrellas based on this…

Hike Sedona: Hog Heaven

If you read our March 2015 cover story, you know the growing popularity of mountain biking in Sedona has led to the adoption of new trails by Coconino National Forest. One of our recent discoveries is…

Sedona Open Studios Tour

Now in its 12th year, the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition’s Sedona Open Studios Tour runs like a well-oiled machine. On April 24, 25 and 26, 52 artists will open their studios from 10 a.m. to 5…

Robber's Roost hiking trail in Sedona

Hike Sedona: Robbers Roost

According to local legend, Robbers Roost (also known as Shaman’s Cave or the Hide Out Cave), located northwest of Sedona but visible from any high vantage point in town, was a hideout for bandits and bootleggers,…

Mountain Biking in Sedona

The popularity of mountain biking in Red Rock Country over the last 10 years has exploded, and it shows no signs of slowing down. On any given weekend you will see large vans parked at local…

Sedona Singer Adalia Tara

If you’ve lived in Sedona for very long, you know this town has a way of embracing some newcomers while giving others the boot. Singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Adalia Tara falls into the former category….

Sedona Yoga Festival

Get ready for three days of yoga, meditation, music and energy work when the Sedona Yoga Festival returns Feb. 5-8. Workshops and classes will take place at Soderberg Bronze Art Gallery & Studio, Hillside Sedona, Sedona…

Sedona Restaurant: Avano Bistro

Executive Chef Joseph Wickham’s menu at Avano Bistro was clearly designed to please many different palates, from the adventurous (with the chorizo-stuffed dates) to the classic (with the margherita pizza). The bread, pasta, desserts, pizza crust…

Hike Sedona: Chapel Trail

Some of the most iconic movie locations in Red Rock Country are located in the region once known as Little Horse Park. You and I know it as the Chapel Area. Several trails in the vicnity…

Sedona Art: Gedion Gallery

A gallery filled with sculptures, carvings, weavings, textiles and jewelry from Zimbabwe located in rural Arizona? Gallery owner and stone sculptor Gedion Nyanhongo thinks it’s the perfect fit. He opened Gedion Gallery in Sinagua Plaza at…

Sedona World Wisdom Days

Sedona is known for attracting all walks of life, but a Grammy Award winner, an Olympic gold medalist, a standup comedian and an NFL linebacker all on the same stage? It must mean the return of…

Winter in Sedona Images

Winter 2013-14 was one of the driest on record for Red Rock Country. In January, we only received 0.69 inch of rain compared to our average of 3.03 inches according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric…

Sedona Holiday Events

Our guide to the best holiday celebrations in Sedona and the Verde Valley. You’re going to be busy this month! Hillside Holiday Saturdays Every Saturday through Dec. 27, 2-5 p.m. Hillside Sedona (671 SR 179) 928-282-4500…

The Melting Point

Erin and Mike McMillen have completely transformed a space that previously housed a day spa into a bright, cheerful glass gallery complete with two studios and an artist’s loft. ­­­­The Melting Point opened its doors in…

Sound Bites Grill

Sound Bites is Sedona’s answer to the Hard Rock Café, with huge photos of musicians and autographed guitars lining the walls (there’s even a gift shop). A large projector screen shows movies and concerts in the…

The Best Hot Dogs in Sedona

Every dog has its day, and for northern Arizona, that day has come. When you’re in the mood for a hot dog – whether it’s a basic wiener with mustard or more exotic toppings (think seaweed…

Sedona Arts Festival

The Sedona Arts Festival isn’t just a small art show that pops up on the side of the road. Not only is the festival the oldest of its kind in Sedona (it celebrates its 24th anniversary…

Coffee Pot Trail

Sedona doesn’t lack difficult hiking trails. The majority of our routes seem to be long, involve steep climbs and include rocky terrain. We are always on the lookout for trails that are suitable for all ages…

The Table at Junipine

Eight miles north of Sedona, in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon, you’ll find Junipine, luxurious creek-side houses that have been welcoming visitors for more than 25 years. Junipine’s cafe recently went through some updates, including…

Long Canyon

Confession: In the 13 years we’ve been publishing Sedona Monthly, we have never featured Long Canyon Trail. Once we realized the error of our ways, we made a beeline for the trailhead on Long Canyon Road…

Sedona Winefest

If you love wine, especially Arizona wine, there’s no better place to be Sept. 27 and 28 than the 6th annual Sedona Winefest. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2,500 wine lovers will…

Behind the Cellar Door

Thinking about building a new home or remodeling your current abode? Media rooms are passe – it’s all about the custom wine cellar. Peek inside three unique cellars and find out what local wine collectors are…

Hoel’s Indian Shop

  At its worst, the 21,000-plus-acre Slide Fire in May came within 300 yards of historic Hoel’s Indian Shop – the forest service’s backburns were a mere 100 yards from the shop’s back door. But Hoel’s…

Red Rocks Music Festival

Love chamber and operatic music? Then Red Rocks Music Festival is right up your alley. Back for its 13th year, the festival takes place Aug. 28-31 with performances at the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix (1636…

Huckaby Trail

Huckaby Trail is a favorite hike among locals and tourists alike, so it’s no surprise that it was suffering from too much love. Originally constructed in 1998, the trail was rerouted at the end of last…

Treasure Art Gallery

Treasure Art Gallery has stood in the same location on SR 179 between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek since 1961, but its longevity can be attributed to a passionate love affair as much as…

Born to Rock

Decker Brandon Decker had been making music for 10 years when he embarked on a tour in support of his first album, Long Days. He says when the tour ended he decided to “pursue music with…

Sedona View Trail

The recently opened Sedona View Trail lives up to its name, offering panoramic views of West Sedona in its entirety. The trail also provides a much-needed route for hikers and mountain bikers by connecting the Airport…

Attr-active

Summer in Red Rock Country means hiking, mountain biking, golfing, swimming and tennis. Who says you can’t look hot while having a little fun in the sun? Pictured in the top photo: fedora by Pistil. Aviator…

Sedona PhotoFest

Whether your idea of a camera includes the latest-and-greatest digital SLR, your smartphone or (gasp) an archaic device that uses film, there’s something for every photographer at Sedona PhotoFest, presented by the Sedona Arts Center. This…

Red Rock BBQ

Summer officially begins June 21, but everyone knows barbecue season started Memorial Day weekend. When you want to give your grill a rest, but you still have a hankering for tasty barbecue, head to Red Rock…

Timo

For foodies who have been making the trek to Flagstaff, Cottonwood or even Phoenix in search of creative cuisine in a posh environment, here’s some good news: You can find what you’ve been looking for right…

Cats Have His Tongue

Sedona wildlife sculptor Ken Rowe gently places the back of his hand in front of the nose of Sage, a 25-pound, 2-year-old bobcat. Sage flicks her ears, bringing to mind an alert housecat. She sniffs his…

Picnic in the Moonlight

When the board of directors of the Verde Valley Sanctuary began brainstorming ideas for a 2014 fundraiser, their goal was to offer local residents a completely unique party. The result is Picnic in the Moonlight, which…

Copper Art Museum

When Drake Meinke was dreaming of a location for his Copper Art Museum, he started to research copper mining in the U.S. and discovered that Arizona is the largest producer of copper in the country. Seventy…

Mooney Trail

With an unprecedented number of sunny days in January and February and an influx of visitors from the East Coast this winter, Sedona trails have seen a fair amount of use thus far in 2014. So…

Chuck Wagon Trail

Used by mountain bikers for years, Chuck Wagon Trail only recently became an official Coconino National Forest trail. The route has been modified to accommodate hikers and provide an alternate path to Devil’s Bridge, a popular…

Great Southwest

The nearly 6-foot-tall Day of the Dead Ferris wheel in the window at the Great Southwest gallery in Hillside attracts a lot of attention, as does the 5-foot-tall corn maiden katsina that greets visitors when they…

The Schoolhouse Restaurant

Chef Christopher Dobrowolski and his wife, Laura Fayette-Dobrowolski, opened The SchoolHouse Restaurant in Cottonwood in March 2013, and Arizonans statewide haven’t stopped buzzing about it. Located inside the Verde Valley’s first grade school (1878 to 1917),…

Celebration of Spring

Spring has sprung! Join the City of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation Department for its 6th annual Celebration of Spring on April 19 from 9 a.m. until noon at Posse Grounds Park (525 Posse Ground Road in…

Call of the Canyon de Chelly

Canyon de Chelly, the second largest canyon in the country, reveals its secrets to those who slow down and stay awhile. Drive the north and south rims, and take a tour of the canyon floor where…

Esteban

He has studied guitar with the legendary Andrés Segovia in Spain. He has toured the country relentlessly. His guitar-lesson infomercials and DVDs are synonymous with QVC and HSN. But all Esteban (born Stephen Paul) has wanted…

The Sedona Table Reheated

In March 2009, Sedona Monthly’s first book, The Sedona Table: Recipes From the Top Restaurants in Red Rock Country, was published, and it was an instant success. The book featured 14 local chefs, 12 restaurants and…

Your Sedona Horoscope

March 2014 by Elaine Marolakos Edelson * Messages regarding your spirit’s ideal vision offer magical possibilities. Will you shrug it off or finally start believing in miracles? PISCES Feb. 20-March 20 Enchanting Pisces is your alias. This…

Green Day

It’s time to don your favorite shade of green! The 44th Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival returns March 15. Presented by Sedona Main Street Program, Northern Arizona University Parks and Recreation Management Program and…

Eagle’s Nest

Red Rock State Park, a 286-acre nature preserve located on the southwestern edge of town, includes 10 developed trails, daily guided nature walks and a plethora of monthly activities. Oak Creek runs through the park, and…

Tea Light Café

Tucked in a corner at the back of Hillside Sedona sits Tea Light Café, which opened its doors in November. The small eatery boasts a bright and casual indoor dining area, a patio with seats next…

Events

March 2014 Calendar Mar. 1 20th Annual Sedona International Film Festival (thru 3/2). Call 928-282-1177 for information or visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org The PEACE Program: Project for Empathy and Compassion Education with Lisa Doskocil, 10 a.m. (every Saturday…

Sedona JazzFest

During its heyday, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks attracted thousands of music lovers to Red Rock Country. With the future of the festival in flux for the past few years, locals and visitors have lamented the…

Anthony Mazzella

They say music is the language of love, so if you are still looking for a special way to woo your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, look no further than the Old Town Center for the Arts…

Vue: A Renee Taylor Gallery

You don’t even have to walk through the large glass doors of Vue: A Renee Taylor Gallery before you realize it’s not the same 1930s creek-side cottage located toward the back of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts…

Red Rock Rendezvous

Friday, February 14 3:33 p.m. Check into Adobe Grand Villas There are plenty of resorts, hotels and inns that offer romance packages, but we believe the 16 rooms – if you can even call them that…

Fay Canyon

Fay Canyon has long been one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Country and for good reason: There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, the route is relatively flat until the end and the…

On the Run

The Sedona Marathon, which returns Feb. 1 at 9 a.m., continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Last year, the Coconino National Forest gave the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the marathon’s organizers, the green light to…

Javelina Cantina

When we first moved to Sedona, we were obsessed with seeing the elusive javelina, a wild peccary that resembles a boar. Instead, we had to content ourselves with frequent visits to Javelina Cantina in Hillside Sedona…

Cielo Bella

Catherine Duskin-Vernarelli and Stephen Vernarelli designed their Village of Oak Creek gallery, Cielo Bella (“beautiful sky” in Italian), to resemble a SoHo loft. The large space features concrete floors, a serene water fountain, soft music and…

West Fork

West Fork in the fall. We’ve hiked it. We’ve photographed it. We’ve written about it. We’re over it. Don’t misunderstand: Oak Creek Canyon’s most popular trail (and arguably the most heavily used trail in the area)…

Sedona World Wisdom Days

Co-founders Glenn Scarpelli and Jerry Gilden, along with event coordinator Michelle Grimm, spent 16 months putting together the program for Sedona World Wisdom Days, which takes place Jan. 17-20 at various locations throughout Sedona. The four-day…

Loving Bowls

Beginning in March, potters started arriving in the ceramics room of the Sedona Arts Center every Thursday afternoon, ready to go to work on another batch of handcrafted bowls under the tutelage of instructor Dennis Ott….

Blonde woman in Santa Dress with Sedona landscape in the background

12 Holiday Happenings: Christmas in Sedona

Celebrate the Holidays with the Romeros Dec. 1, 2:30 p.m., Sedona Performing Arts Center (995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road) 928-204-2415; $40 Classic guitar quartet concert. Ice Skating in Sedona Dec. 1-8 Mon.-Thur., 2-8 p.m.; Fri.,…

Teacup Trail

It’s easy to see why many of Sedona’s most iconic rock formations received their names – there’s no mistaking Bell Rock or Snoopy Rock. But Teacup Rock is a bit more difficult to discern. The best…

The Nutcracker

When Candy Quillian, a former ballet dancer, moved to Sedona with her husband in the 1980s, she was dismayed at the lack of a ballet school. She opened her own school, Danse Sedona, in the Village…

India Palace

We’ve been fans of India Palace for years, but since Bipin Jadav took the helm last year, we can feel even better about what we eat at the restaurant. A physician by trade, Bipin is passionate…

Concerts and Events

Ardrey Auditorium 12/6: The Nutcracker Ballet, 7:30 p.m.; 12/7: The Nutcracker Ballet, 2 p.m. • NAU campus, Flagstaff (928-774-5107) Clifford E. White Theatre 12/4, 12/5, 12/6: Spring Awakening, 7:30 p.m.; 12/8: Spring Awakening, 2 p.m. •…

Artists and business owners create themed trees for Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Trees.

Deck the Halls

The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time for the Festival of Trees at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. The festival begins Nov. 29 – the day after Thanksgiving – when 45 Christmas…

Older man wearing a beret while painting

Sandmen

Sedona Monthly’s 7th annual cover story featuring Native American artists focuses on Navajo sandpainters. A fairly recent art form, sandpainting was traditionally used by medicine men in religious ceremonies until enterprising artists began using the medium…

DiVoM and local fire dancers will entertain during Tlaquepaque’s Dia de los Muertos celebration.

DiVoM

As darkness begins to settle across Red Rock Country on Nov. 1 and 2, David Vincent Mills’ funky-jazz band DiVoM (a play on his initials) will take to the stage along Calle Independencia at Tlaquepaque Arts…